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Massachusetts · Medical malpractice claims: harm and next steps

Medical malpractice claims: harm and next steps in Massachusetts

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Filing deadline3 years from discovery; 7-year repose; tribunal requiredM.G.L. c. 231 § 60B

Deadlines vary with the facts of each case. A lawyer can confirm yours.

Updated

01 · Your filing deadline

What is the deadline in Massachusetts?

M.G.L. c. 260 § 4: 3-year SOL from accrual; 7-year repose. Medical malpractice tribunal required before trial (M.G.L. c. 231 § 60B). A lawyer can confirm yours.

3 years from discovery; 7-year repose; tribunal required

Foreign objects: exempt from the 7-year repose. Minors: 3 years from accrual (a child under 6 has until the 9th birthday), no later than 7 years from the act (M.G.L. c. 231 § 60D).

Source: M.G.L. c. 231 § 60B

Deadlines vary; a lawyer can confirm yours. An older diagnosis or a past filing window does not, by itself, establish whether you have a claim.

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A lawyer can check which filing rules apply to your circumstances.

02 · Where cases are heard

Where would my case be heard?

Massachusetts has a 3-year statute of limitations for medical malpractice from the date the patient knew or should have known of the injury, with a 7-year statute of repose from the act. Massachusetts has no cap on malpractice damages. Massachusetts requires a tribunal — a pre-trial screening panel of a judge, physician, and attorney — to review the evidence before a case can proceed to trial.

Medical facilities in Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts General Hospital — Level I Trauma Center

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

How this works nationally

For the overall process and updates, read the Medical malpractice claims: harm and next steps overview. This page covers the local information available for Massachusetts.

What happens when I check?

You answer a few short questions about what happened. If you send them, your answers are kept on file. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you. People's Justice is not a law firm.

Live in Massachusetts? Read what applies in your state.

Register your interest. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you.

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Sources

  1. M.G.L. c. 231 § 60B